CI-NEWS

From George Etoh's Book shelf page 2: Of PWD Bamenda and Stephen Tataw, Orphans who can’t share fr

2020-08-10

No: 521

*From George Etoh's Book shelf page 2*: Of PWD Bamenda and Stephen Tataw, Orphans who can’t share from their master's crumbs!

By GEORGE Etoh Anzah in Bamenda.

An enthronement look on Cameroon’s football success story will brain-polish all to think football management in Cameroon can only be compared to the beauty of the heavenlies. Further reflections suggest favorable conditions that necessitate a handful to gladly defend the national colours with red over green shots and yellow stockings. Lately these glimmering rays have met with the moon light reality of what truly holds and prevails concerning football actors in Cameroon.

Stephen Tataw was most famous for leading the Indomitable Lions to the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

This emblematic run was successful thanks to inclusive wins over Argentina, Romania and Colombia, as Cameroon became the first African side to reach the last eight, a record held for 12 years before Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.Indeed it’s unarguably true to say he is and remains the African womb opener who opened to the wider world the offsprings she had suckled. Born on March 31, 1963 in Yaounde, Centre Region of Cameroon, Stephen is reported to have died under shabby conditions at the age of 57 . YES! 57 may seem a golden jubilee and plus but when reflections pose that the iconic national and international figure lived his days without a salary at FECAFOOT, according to Hervé Junior. The writer in a tear-shedding tribute says Tataw at several fronts was in dire need for help especially at the passing away of his wife. He adds as things grew worse even at the watchful eyes of so many he was pictured on a motorcycle going about his private activities while his vehicle was lying helplessly parked at the FECAFOOT premises .

Worst still, football authorities who ought to have in solidarity and allegiance paid for the car to be repaired had rather opted to buy it off, a move which could further cripple the roaring lion's hope of a stress relief. His malaise is further buttressed by multiple newspaper reports suggesting Cameroon football federation (FECAFOOT) authorities had long abandoned the latter to himself even without a salary while he retired as supervisor of the national team. His appointment brings many to wonder what privileges and why nothing was attached even at a time when Cameroon appointments are always carried by articles with the last reading "the appointee will benefit from all advantages necessary".

It's even further shocking to know that having held diverse posts of responsibility at the helm of FECAFOOT Tataw, according to Hervé, is accustomed to a cream of football officials for the last 10 years. Yes 10 years but none of these of whom some are in power were able to place him on a salary.

But what then could be his horse kick?

He is reported to have cited a couple of names who he suggested should not be allowed to partake or hold whatever role in case of his funeral as though he knew he will die before them all.

Enter PWD Bamenda:

Abandoned to themselves as they battered through the regional league, to the qualifications at the national interpools then to the 2nd tier championship and today the 2020 champions of Cameroon PWD of Bamenda alias Abakwa boys is yet to taste of the international grandeur that accompanies representatives and bearers of Cameroon’s flag at the continental level. It’s no news that when the Indomitable Lions left for Gabon for the AFCON in 2017 they were just another question of "can anything good come out of Nazareth? The response was soon carried by many as youths and adults carried aluminium pots which they clapped, producing an uncontrollable sound compared to a Pentecostal worship cymbal at the fall of the Holy Ghost in celebration of a victory and bearers whom they neglected even to bid a farewell. At their return the streets of Yaounde like other major cities received the trophy.

Retrospectively since 2013 the Bamenda municipal stadium has not hosted an elite 1 match. This means football lovers in the region must travel at a cut throat price of 800 francs a round trip from Nkwen or 1200 francs from Mankon and more for those in the remote areas. This is further increased when gate fees must be paid for their aspirations to be met. This eventually means the average or crisis-stricken "Bamenda man" and diehard supporter will not add his voice to the habitual vocal support and if we consider reports suggesting the region’s economy has been destroyed at an approximated 40 percent, then a lot comes into view on how this club laboured its way to the heights of her tunneling light.

It is reported construction works were to kick off at the said stadium when Tombi Aroko Sidiki, the then FECAFOOT president was in Mbengwi for a Mbongmi football championship finals. Year after year, some unconfirmed reports suggest the funds were embezzled at the detriment of football lovers in the region. Playing at Yong Sports Academy stadium became the only hope as the sand, gravel, laterite and poorly knitted grass pitch was just all to hang on to. In 2019 as the players and management of Foncha Street FC presented their trophy and medals to NW governor, the latter announced plans to modernise a piece of land which he says an advance move was underway for construction works in view of solving the pitch wahala .

During the 2018 season, PWD's management like YOSA was faced with humiliation when The University of Bamenda's administration halted all her trainings and eventual matches which ought to be played under obscure basis.

With the absence of the UBa pitch at least 4 matches were played on the Yosa stadium in a week. The resultant effect was a negative progress from the partly grassfield pitch to a muddy arena.

Till date PWD of Bamenda like Bamenda and Northwest region in particular can neither boast a 3rd degree pitch nor a training center. Calls have since been launched by administrative as well as regional football authorities with no fruits harvested. At a time when solidarity is needed to at least portray a good Cameroon already battered by dehumanizing videos emanating from the Anglophone crisis, not even a national assistance has been announced for a club whose financial power is at least generated from popular contributions. According to analysts, other clubs are benefactors of state subventions or assistance. However neither the crumbs from the state bread, nor the left over bones from a dissected state meat have fallen.

As it stands the club is yet to even announce its 2020 official resumption date as Covid 19 preventive measures according to Simon Emile Mooh, Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Mezam, recently cancelled all sporting activities.

Many would have hoped with the announced AFCON the region could even bear a 5000 capacity training stadium. But it was a forlorn hope as some unscrupulous beings guzzled state funds for the building of over-invoiced stadiums elsewhere.

This absence only suggests the Abakwa boys at the continental level will not play in Bamenda, further exposing the club to home defeats as she barely counts supporters and fans out of the region. However Douala, Yaounde, Garoua and other major cities in Cameroon host top-class modern-day pitches.

And so PWD, like Tataw, are placed in the same mould of discrimination.It is thus most informed here that Song Rigobert, one-time captain of the Indomitable Lions, was assisted by the state when according to health experts he was infected with cancer. This just goes a long way to pose why no first hand assistance was rendered to Stephen nor privileges offered to PWD FC of Bamenda as of date. In view of these double standards, we urge the Abakwa boys to begin an early camping to better prepare them for the task ahead. It's no doubt the results will be by far better. Perhaps, the authorities will wait for her to attain the quarter finals at the continental level, then produce another cymbal like noise.

Indeed like orphans have these been treated as they can conveniently be referred to as the cows milked for the master’s benefit.

A PHP Error was encountered

A PHP Error was encountered

From George Etoh's Book shelf page 2: Of PWD Bamenda and Stephen Tataw, Orphans who can’t share fr

A PHP Error was encountered

A PHP Error was encountered

*From George Etoh's Book shelf page 2*: Of PWD Bamenda and Stephen Tataw, Orphans who can’t share fr

From George Etoh's Book shelf page 2: Of PWD Bamenda and Stephen Tataw, Orphans who can’t share fr